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In reply to the discussion: Venezuela's Chavez says cancer has returned [View all]MADem
(135,425 posts)72. No, I don't think I do. The whole process began with a vote of authorization.
They weren't voting to change the team colors or for a national holiday--they were voting to allow the initiation of the process. That vote was more enthusiastic than the one you brought up.
The quote that you provided doesn't help your case, but it does back up what I've been noting --particularly the part you put in bold.
Just over 55% of the voting population abstained from ratifying the new constitution, and of those who voted, 30% rejected it. That's 'democracy in action?' I don't think so.
This illustrative paragraph is from your first link, too:
Given the foregoing, what kind of political culture does Venezuela have? As a measure of political culture and the adherence to the rule of law, one could take Venezuelas Corruption Perception Index, as measured by Transparency International,[16] where Venezuela ranks in the 81st place from the top of the list, the least corrupt, or tenth place from the bottom, the most corrupt, in the same rank as Albania, Guatemala, and Nicaragua and just below Pakistan, the Philippines, Romania, and Zambia. Of course, these are merely perceptions, which can be heavily influenced by the media. And in Venezuela the media, which is an active part of the opposition to the government, would have an interest in exaggerating the degree of corruption that exists in Venezuela since the election of Chávez. Nonetheless, it is probably fair to say that in Venezuela corruption and hence a generalized lack of respect for the rule of law is quite widespread, which does not bode well for the new constitution. The April 2002 coup attempt, the consequent suspension of the constitution, and the acceptance of these acts in a large part of the population further reinforces the impression that Venezuelas political culture plays fast and loosely with the rule of law.
Corruption hasn't improved in the most recent look by these folks, either--they're now 9th from the bottom, instead of tenth:
http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2012/results/
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Wish he could try the Gerson diet starting immediately. What would he have to lose? nt
kelliekat44
Dec 2012
#44
I hope there is enough power in the resistance of the masses in Venezuela now.
Judi Lynn
Dec 2012
#13
And how I wish that we were truly moral enough to fulfill that obligation. I fear for the poor and
jwirr
Dec 2012
#18
You're in the wrong place if you're telling us Chavez fans don't have a place in a Democratic forum.
Judi Lynn
Dec 2012
#14
How unfortunate for you that second and third-hand anecdotes can't be verified.
ronnie624
Dec 2012
#37
Just as hardships in every country are caused by the "haves" usually trampling on the rights,
kelliekat44
Dec 2012
#42
Right off the bat, you push misinformation, without giving it a second thought.
ronnie624
Dec 2012
#52
It's not misinformation...unless you think those folks at PBS were lying nearly a decade ago...
MADem
Dec 2012
#61
He rewrote it, with help. That's the bottom line. What went in it was what HE wanted in it.
MADem
Dec 2012
#65
Yes, they do. They provide a LOT of information--information you, for reasons unclear to me, are
MADem
Dec 2012
#91
Boligarchs--what a clever and expressive way of putting it. Sums it up perfectly.
MADem
Dec 2012
#66
Crime is rampant. Murder is common. When you're dead, your life is not "much improved."
MADem
Dec 2012
#73
It's a term used by Venezuelans, even Chavez has used it, they have no problem admitting it.
joshcryer
Dec 2012
#76
Try reading "The Shock Doctrine" by Naomi Klein before you call us Chavez fans. We are instead
jwirr
Dec 2012
#19
Hugo Chavez says he needs cancer surgery again, names VP successor if illness worsens
Judi Lynn
Dec 2012
#15
Glad to hear that he is trying to prepare them for the oppression from the corporations that is most
jwirr
Dec 2012
#20
Take the time to read the article FIRST before attempting to insinuate he's out of line.. n/t
Judi Lynn
Dec 2012
#30
VP in Venezuela only takes power if the President dies in the last 2 years of office.
joshcryer
Dec 2012
#55
He's naming a political successor, yeah, it's weird, but they needed to pick someone.
joshcryer
Dec 2012
#54
I only hope that his VP is a man who cannot be bought out by the corporatists.
kelliekat44
Dec 2012
#43
Don't recall ever seeing you speaking up as one who supports the progress made already
Judi Lynn
Dec 2012
#41
I didn't have much of an opinion about him until I saw "The War on Democracy"
Comrade_McKenzie
Dec 2012
#46